'Knee Shin Toe' in mouth

Sapa-AP | 15 February, 2011 13:55

Former England soccer manager and Glenn Hoddle Academy founder Glenn Hoddle speaks during an interview with Reuters at the Academy in Jerez, southern Spain November 10, 2010. Hoddle has turned down 26 job offers since leaving his last coaching role in 2006 but the lure of international management could tempt him back in the future. Hoddle has said he may be ready to return to international coaching in around two years
Image by: JON NAZCA

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Former England coach Glenn Hoddle apologised on Tuesday for mocking Chinese names during a live television broadcast.

Hoddle, commentating on Sky Sports during Monday's Premier League match between Chelsea and Fulham, made the comment after Fernando Torres misplayed a ball.

"When it's not going for you, it's not going for you. It's come off his chest, his knee and his toe. It's almost like the Chinese player Knee Shin Toe," Hoddle said.

On Tuesday, Hoddle said he regretted his remark.

"I can only apologise to those who took offence," Hoddle said. "There's no excuse. It's an old football expression and I understand I can't say things like that."

Sky Sports recently fired former player Andy Gray and parted ways with Richard Keys after the pair were embroiled in a scandal involving off-air comments about women.

Hoddle first caused a storm in 1999 when, as coach of England, he claimed that disabled people were being punished for something they did in a previous life.